MACON, Ga. — Georgia race car driver Mason Massey is excited to race on Saturday at his home track, Atlanta Motor Speedway. When he hits the track, he'll be bringing a piece of Central Georgia along with him.
Massey plans to honor his late mentor Beau Slocumb of Macon, a national champion of legends racing before he passed from a rare form of cancer in 2011.
Slocumb earned 131 feature wins in legends and late model ranks before joining the ARCA racing series in the early to mid-2000s.
Before his diagnosis, he was signed to Ryan Newman's racing team and was affiliated with Gresham Motorsports, Zaxbys Racing, Win-Tron Racing and Turner Motorsports.
Massey will have his number 08 Chevrolet Camaro designed to match Slocumb's popular bright orange and camouflage look that he raced for years around the Southeast.
Slocumb's parents are grateful for the honor of their son.
"When you lose a child, you're afraid people will forget them, and it really means a lot that people remember him and have him honored in this way. It's so special to us, and to know Beau's story is still making a difference," Slocumb's mom Jeanne said.
His father, Burke, shared the sentiment.
"We want a lot of thanks to the Massey family and Brian Hill, Joey Clinton and Tony Gresham, along with Maze Massy Mason's dad. So, we're really thankful for that, and we're going to enjoy going up there Saturday night for all the festivities," he said.
The NASCAR Xfinity Series ALSCO 250 will be at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Saturday, July 8, at 8 p.m.